It’s early May, and our Bleeding hearts, Lilacs, and Lily of the Valley are blooming with spring fragrances and colors. One of the quiet arrivals in our garden is this delicate purple-blue flower, which is often called periwinkle or creeping myrtle.
It thrives as a ground cover in shady woodlands and gardens. Its five-petaled bloom opens in early spring, adding a subtle elegance to forest floors and garden edges. Hardy and evergreen, Vinca minor spreads gently, creating a lush green mat adorned with scattered violet hues.
Photographing Vinca minor (Periwinkle) can yield striking images if done thoughtfully, since the flower is small, close to the ground, and has subtle textures. Here are some tips for capturing its beauty effectively:
Get Low to Its Level
- Why: Shooting from above flattens the bloom. Getting low allows you to capture the shape and depth of the petals.
- How: Use a tripod or rest your camera on the ground with a tilting screen if available.
2. Use a Wide Aperture (Low f-stop)
- Why: A shallow depth of field isolates the flower and blurs the background.
- Setting: Try f/2.8 to f/5.6 for creamy bokeh and soft focus around the flower.
3. Natural Lighting is Key
- Ideal Time: Early morning or late afternoon when light is soft and golden.
- Avoid: Direct midday sun—it can cause harsh shadows and blow out the soft purple hues.
- Tip: Overcast days are perfect; they act like a giant softbox.
4. Control the Background (shallow DOF)
- Why: The periwinkle is delicate, so a busy or messy background distracts.
- Tip: Adjust your angle to place dark soil, leaf litter, or soft greens behind the flower.
5. Use a Macro Lens (or Macro Mode)
- Why: To bring out petal texture, subtle coloration, and center details.
- Alternative: Use a telephoto lens at its closest focusing distance for compression and background separation.
6. Consider Water Drops
- A light mist from a spray bottle can add sparkle and depth, mimicking morning dew.
7. Manual Focus
- Autofocus may struggle with small flowers and a shallow depth of field. Use manual focus for precision on the flower’s center.
Jeff “Foliage” Folger
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